Biography

Robert Cutietta, dean of the USC Thornton School of Music, enjoys an international reputation as a music educator. He is a noted author and popular speaker whose areas of expertise include the middle-school learner, choral education, learning theories and the psychology of music.

Prior to coming to USC, Dr. Cutietta was professor and director of the School of Music and Dance at the University of Arizona. He joined the University of Arizona as a professor of music education in 1994, following appointments at Kent State and Montana State universities. Dr. Cutietta earned his Ed.D. in music education at Pennsylvania State University in 1982 and his master’s and bachelor’s degrees from Cleveland State University in 1978 and 1975, respectively.

Author of the highly readable book Raising Musical Kids: A Parent's Guide (Oxford University Press, 2001), Dr. Cutietta has published a wide range of articles on music education. These have appeared in such publications as The Music Educators Journal, Psychology Today, Journal of Research in Music Education and The American Music Teacher, among others. He is also co-author or editor of four books and has contributed chapters to several others.

A popular teacher and speaker, Robert Cutietta has been a presenter at every national meeting of the Music Educators National Conference for the past 20 years and has been a presenter twice at the Conference of the International Society of Music Education. He has also given lectures at universities throughout the world.

Recent honors include the prestigious Putnam Award for Meritorious Teaching and the Maestro Award, based on the accomplishments of his students, from the University of Arizona. In 2000, Dr. Cutietta was named Distinguished Alumnus of the Year by Pennsylvania State University College of Arts and Architecture.

Professional Experience

Publications:

• Raising Musical Kids: A Parent's Guide. Oxford University Press, 2001.

 

Academic Degrees

• D.Ed., Pennsylvania State University
• Master of Music, Cleveland State University
• Bachelor of Music, Cleveland State University

Other Academic Experience:

Dr. Cutietta was a faculty member at Montana State University–Bozeman, Kent State University and The University of Arizona prior to coming to the USC Thornton School as dean.